Two Recent Major Studies on After-Death Communication: Results and Implications for Clinical Practice

Abstract

In the past three years, two researchers have conducted major studies of after-death communication (ADC). Jenny Streit-Horn at the University of North Texas conducted a systematic review of all published studies of ADC from the earliest in 1894 through 2006, involving over 50,000 people in 24 countries. The result of her analysis was the ADC Fact Sheet that provides information on prevalence, incidence, characteristics, effects, and resources on ADC. Michele Knight at the University of Sydney conducted an in-depth qualitative study of 21 adults who experience ADC during bereavement. The result of her analysis is a summary of the nature of ADC and its layers of meaning for those who experience it. The presenter, who served as dissertation chair for Dr. Streit-Horn’s study and as an examiner for Dr. Knight’s thesis, will present their findings and discuss implications for professionals and paraprofessionals working with clients who have experienced ADC.

Presenter Bio

Janice Miner Holden earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with honors from the University of Illinois at Champaign (1972), and her master of science (1978) and doctoral (1988) degrees in Counselor Education from Northern Illinois University. In 1988, she joined the Counseling Program faculty at the University of North Texas (UNT) where she now is a professor and serves as Chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor, Texas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, National Certified Counselor, and ACISTE Certified Mental Health Professional. At UNT, Jan teaches courses in counseling theory, the transpersonal perspective in counseling, and dreamwork in counseling. Having focused her scholarship on near-death experiences, Jan is past president of the International Association for Near-Death Studies, was first editor of The Handbook of Near-Death Experiences: Thirty Year of Investigation (2009, Praeger), and is editor of the quarterly peer reviewed Journal of Near-Death Studies. The nature of human consciousness, particularly at death, and its implications for counseling and for meaning and purpose in life and death, continue to be Jan’s primary research interests.